Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for improved imaging of objects underwater. The method and apparatus are particularly useful in a degraded underwater visual environment. The method and apparatus are also useful in undersea operations in which enhanced visualization at close range is desirable. Exemplary operations include diver assist, ship hull inspections, underwater robotic operations (e.g. sample collection, mine neutralization), etc.

Abstract: An omnidirectional imaging system includes a housing have at least one transparent portion, a light source configured to produce emitted light, a transmitter configured to direct the emitted light outward of the housing through the at least one transparent portion at a 360 degree scanning angle range measured about an axis, and a receiver configured to receive the emitted light. The receiver is configured to receive the emitted light and generate a cylindrical 3D point cloud centered along a path of motion of the housing, wherein the housing moves along the axis of rotation of the emitted light.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for improved imaging of objects underwater. The method and apparatus are particularly useful in a degraded underwater visual environment. The method and apparatus are also useful in undersea operations in which enhanced visualization at close range is desirable. Exemplary operations include diver assist, ship hull inspections, underwater robotic operations (e.g. sample collection, mine neutralization), etc.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to compressive line sensing imaging. Initially, a codebook is configured with a pattern sequence for a series of illumination patterns. Each light element in an individually addressable laser diode array (IALDA) is independently controlled to project the series of illumination patterns onto a target. Next, measurements of the target are acquired based on the series of illumination patterns. The codebook is then used to decode the measurements to create an image of the target.

Abstract: Systems and methods for object enumeration in a culture tank. The methods comprise: obtaining an array of two dimensional images of an illuminated scene in a culture tank; correcting non-uniform background illumination in the two dimensional images; improving a color contrast between a background and object edges shown in the two dimensional images; performing a defocus analysis using the two dimensional images to generate a focus map image; generating a modified focus map image by eliminating isolated spots shown in the focus map image and merging relatively small spots with adjacent relatively large objects in the focus map image; classifying each object shown in the modified focus map image as an object of interest or an object of no interest; and counting the number of objects classified as objects of interest.

Abstract: Methods for characterizing scattering in a medium of a Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) system and systems therefrom are provided. A method includes obtaining off-axis power return characteristics with respect to a first wavelength of light and on-axis power return characteristics for at least the first wavelength of light. The method also includes estimating at least one beam attenuation coefficient (c) based on the off-axis power return characteristics and common volume parameter function for the LiDAR system and an extinction coefficient (?) for the medium based on the on-axis power return characteristics. The method further includes extracting a value for at least one diffuse attenuation coefficient (Kd) for the medium using a beam spread parameter for the LiDAR system (D) and a pre-defined relationship between ?, c, D, and Kd.

Abstract: Systems and methods for object enumeration in a culture tank. The methods comprise: obtaining an array of two dimensional images of an illuminated scene in a culture tank; correcting non-uniform background illumination in the two dimensional images; improving a color contrast between a background and object edges shown in the two dimensional images; performing a defocus analysis using the two dimensional images to generate a focus map image; generating a modified focus map image by eliminating isolated spots shown in the focus map image and merging relatively small spots with adjacent relatively large objects in the focus map image; classifying each object shown in the modified focus map image as an object of interest or an object of no interest; and counting the number of objects classified as objects of interest.

Abstract: System and method for remotely sensing the cross-flow orientation of a fluid (including a gaseous fluid) over an extended range. A Fourier transform of beam wander of a single beam can be used to determine the orientation of the flow field. Many applications depend upon accurate flow orientation data to provide correct information such as, for example, citing of turbines on wind farms and atmospheric/ocean weather prediction.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to compressive line sensing imaging. Initially, a codebook is configured with a pattern sequence for a series of illumination patterns. Each light element in an individually addressable laser diode array (IALDA) is independently controlled to project the series of illumination patterns onto a target. Next, measurements of the target are acquired based on the series of illumination patterns. The codebook is then used to decode the measurements to create an image of the target.

Abstract: Methods for characterizing scattering in a medium of a Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) system and systems therefrom are provided. A method includes obtaining off-axis power return characteristics with respect to a first wavelength of light and on-axis power return characteristics for at least the first wavelength of light. The method also includes estimating at least one beam attenuation coefficient (c) based on the off-axis power return characteristics and common volume parameter function for the LiDAR system and an extinction coefficient (?) for the medium based on the on-axis power return characteristics. The method further includes extracting a value for at least one diffuse attenuation coefficient (Kd) for the medium using a beam spread parameter for the LiDAR system (D) and a pre-defined relationship between ?, c, D, and Kd.

Abstract: A sensing system is provided that includes a transmitter assembly with a light source and a microdisplay device, wherein the transmitter assembly defines an optical beam transmission path to provide illumination of a substantially one-dimensional (1D) region of a target area, the microdisplay device comprising a plurality of controllable elements for causing the illumination to be a substantially 1D pattern of light along the 1D region. The system further includes a receiver assembly for defining a return optical signal transmission path from the 1D region and collecting return optical signals from the 1D region. The system also includes a processing component for generating sensor information associated with the 1D region by processing the return optical signals from the 1D region with return optical signals from adjacent 1D regions using a distributed compressive sensing (DCS) technique.

Abstract: System and method for remotely sensing the cross-flow orientation of a fluid (including a gaseous fluid) over an extended range. A Fourier transform of beam wander of a single beam can be used to determine the orientation of the flow field. Many applications depend upon accurate flow orientation data to provide correct information such as, for example, citing of turbines on wind farms and atmospheric/ocean weather prediction.

Abstract: An imaging or sensor system comprises a transmitter assembly, a receiver assembly and a control unit. The transmitter assembly defines an outgoing optical beam transmission path with respect to a target surface and the receiver assembly defines a return optical signal transmission path from the target surface. Each of the paths includes transmission through or reflection from at least one microdisplay device comprising a plurality of controllable elements for selective placement in a transmit mode for transmission of light along the transmission paths. A control unit selectively places the microdisplay device elements in the transmission mode.

Abstract: A sensing system is provided that includes a transmitter assembly with a light source and a microdisplay device, wherein the transmitter assembly defines an optical beam transmission path to provide illumination of a substantially one-dimensional (1D) region of a target area, the microdisplay device comprising a plurality of controllable elements for causing the illumination to be a substantially 1D pattern of light along the 1D region. The system further includes a receiver assembly for defining a return optical signal transmission path from the 1D region and collecting return optical signals from the 1D region. The system also includes a processing component for generating sensor information associated with the 1D region by processing the return optical signals from the 1D region with return optical signals from adjacent 1D regions using a distributed compressive sensing (DCS) technique.

Abstract: An imaging or sensor system comprises a transmitter assembly, a receiver assembly and a control unit. The transmitter assembly defines an outgoing optical beam transmission path with respect to a target surface and the receiver assembly defines a return optical signal transmission path from the target surface. Each of the paths includes transmission through or reflection from at least one microdisplay device comprising a plurality of controllable elements for selective placement in a transmit mode for transmission of light along the transmission paths. A control unit selectively places the microdisplay device elements in the transmission mode.

Abstract: A scanner system. The system includes a mirror assembly having multiple reflective surfaces arranged to form one polygonal shape about an axis. A plurality of the multiple surfaces are each positionable to reflect radiation propagating from the source at a reflective angle and a position on the reflective surface to direct the radiation along a transmit path. When one reflective surface is so positioned, another surface is positioned to receive and reflect radiation along a detector signal path for processing. According to a related method for acquiring image data a mirror assembly is provided with multiple reflective surfaces sequentially arranged to form a polygonal shape about an axis. A beam of radiation is reflected from a first of the reflective surfaces and along a path in a first direction to a target region and a return signal propagates along the path in a second direction away from the target region.

Abstract: A scanner system. The system includes a mirror assembly having multiple reflective surfaces arranged to form one polygonal shape about an axis. A plurality of the multiple surfaces are each positionable to reflect radiation propagating from the source at a reflective angle and a position on the reflective surface to direct the radiation along a transmit path. When one reflective surface is so positioned, another surface is positioned to receive and reflect radiation along a detector signal path for processing. According to a related method for acquiring image data a mirror assembly is provided with multiple reflective surfaces sequentially arranged to form a polygonal shape about an axis. A beam of radiation is reflected from a first of the reflective surfaces and along a path in a first direction to a target region and a return signal propagates along the path in a second direction away from the target region.